Unite, representing over 100,000 members in the health service has hailed Labour’s pledge to end ‘immoral’ NHS car charges for patients, visitors and NHS staff as a victory for every NHS worker struggling after seven years of pay restraint.

Unite national officer for health Sarah Carpenter said: “We will be asking our members to invite prospective parliamentary candidates to come and see what community nurses do on a daily basis to support families with babies and young children."

Unite lead professional officer Obi Amadi said: “We want to draw up a campaign checklist on public health so that our members can lobby the prospective parliamentary candidates and gain their support for the next parliament."